Hiking with kids can be a lot of fun, but it isn’t always easy. While our kids love going on adventures, they often need a little push to keep hiking when they start to get tired or bored. Lately that push has been encouraging their passion for finding fossils (rocks) on the trail.
Yes. I know they are amassing a giant collection of rocks. But they really believe.
This weekend was a break from the lackluster February weather, so we took advantage and headed over to Mohican State Park for a hike. Here in Ohio it’s been rather rainy, so I was hoping that the famed Lyons Falls would actually have some water.
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Finally an Ohio waterfall that was just as exciting in person as it is on Instagram!
A serious win
Abby hiked the entire 2 miles on her own, and both girls carried their packs the entire way. We’ve been working on both of these goals lately. Last year we did this same hike and Abby could barely do a mile. Now, at 2, she’s so much more capable, it’s amazing how she’s grown.
Part of what has been working lately is making their packs fun! Both girls have 3 snacks in their hiking pack. They are allowed to eat them whenever they want but I won’t be giving out extras. Both girls seem to enjoy the freedom of choice.
There is a lot less incessant whining for snacks. Thank Goodness.
The snacks are fantastic, but the biggest thing that has kept hiking fun for the girls lately is fossil hunting. The girls are seriously OBSESSED with dinosaurs lately. We talk about dinosaurs constantly. The girls have dinosaur clothes, dinosaur books, a dino field guide, and the T-Rex we bought out west is one of the most loved toys in our home.
This T-Rex has been EVERYWHERE with us and is still going strong!
Fossil Hunting
Every rock, stone, and pebble is a potential dinosaur fossil to the kids. They find all kinds of things when we hike, like Iguanadon teeth and Brachiosaurus neck bones. This does slow us down quite a bit, but it makes it so much more enjoyable for the kids!
We pack the girls magnifying glasses in their packs so they can examine their finds while we hike.
Take Creative Liberties!
Encourage a little bit of creative naming along the trail. There is a particular stretch of this trail in Mohican State Park that is like a very mini canyon (and that’s being generous), and we all excitedly dubbed this Fossil Canyon. As we were on our return to the car Abby got a little tired, but we were able to get her moving by excitedly talking about how close we were to Fossil Canyon.
Abby excitedly found a large stone and declared it was a dinosaur egg. She loves all things baby, so this was a particularly epic find. I did have to stop her from putting it in her backpack though. Not sure she’s quite ready for rock hauling at this age.
Olivia found some great teeth….
Chasing Waterfalls
We eventually made it Lyons Falls and we were rewarded with an awesome sight. Olivia loved climbing on the boulders and getting sprayed with water. Abby hated it. You win some, you lose some?
Don’t worry about Abby though, once we bribed her with a snack she was perfectly fine to sit and watch Olivia play.
Coming Soon
I’m super pumped that the girls are getting more capable on the trail, because we have another epic road trip/national park adventure coming soon! If I can get these girls to carry their own freaking snacks my life will be completely transformed on the trail. SO. MANY. SNACK. BREAKS. Plus… how adorable are these kids with their hiking packs?
We are heading out on a three week road trip in April!
Ohio – Colorado National Monument – Dinosaur National Monument – SLC – Capitol Reef National Park – Bryce Canyon National Park – Grand Canyon National Park – Zion National Park – SLC – Ohio!
Follow me on any of my social media channels or subscribe to my email list to hear about our crazy adventure!
Also – I’m still looking for awesome places to stop between Salt Lake City and Ohio, so drop your knowledge in the comments!
Pooh Bear goes everywhere with us!
Looks like you guys had such a fun time. And the waterfall picture is incredible!
It was amazing in person!
My little guy just turned four and it’s amazing how much more enjoyable hikes are when you’re not having to carry kids 😄 I spent the first few years of my life just miles away from the National Dinosaur Monument, but I was too young to remember it 😔 There is a small town between there and SLC called Heber City, with a little hamburger joint called Granny’s with the best milkshakes!!! They’re humongous, so you could definitely share one or two between your family.
My kids would LOVE that! Thanks for the suggestion!
This look so fun! I always have a desire to venture out with my little ones to go hiking, but always get intimidated at the thought of kids being overwhelmed and whiny. I think my kids might take really well to having their own snacks at their disposal.
Thanks for joining #WanderingWednesday with Confessions of Parenting! 🙂
Oh we definitely have days when everyone is whining!
I love the idea of bringing a magnifying glass on your hikes! My son is super into dinosaurs and would love hunting for fossils. And yes, it is so nice when you can hike without carrying kids. I can’t wait til my girls are old enough to make it without the stroller!
#wanderingwednesday
I secretly love taking our stroller sometimes, it’s like a luggage cart!
That’s really cute and fun for the kids! I am super impressed that your 2 year old can hike on her own too!
It took awhile to get here!
What a great idea!!! I love this!
Aw how adventurous and neat!
Love the look of awe and wonder on your children faces as they explore outdoors. What a wonderful and beautiful area to visit.
Your 2-year-old is a real trooper! I’m not sure I could get my 8-year-old to go a full mile at this point. Not even if a real Tyrannosaurus was right on our tail. haha Great ideas for motivation though. Have fun on your trip this summer!
LOL!
Sounds like an awesome hike that was very engaging for the littles! And the waterfall…Beautiful!
#WanderingWednesday
Beautiful pictures and this looks like a GREAT day. I loved your ideas in keeping little ones interested during hikes and will definitely try some of these this summer!
Let me know how it goes!
So much fun! And looks like a beautiful place! You have inspired me to get out with my kids more
I love hearing that!
Such a pretty waterfall! We love hiking but just haven’t had time lately to do it – your post has definitely inspired me!
Good! Let me know if you go anywhere awesome!
I love fossil hunting!!
They are adorable with their packs on! I take my boys hiking often too and it’s so fun to get away from it all and just relax in nature.
Oh my goodness!!! This is such a great idea! Now I want to take my little ones hiking! 😍
Thanks, you should!
We love going hunting for fossils! We live in the South of England near the “Jurassic Coast” and as the name suggests there’s lots of coastline where you can find fossils. That waterfall looks fab 🙂 #globalblogging
My kids would die of jealousy if I told them there was such a place!
Fossil hunting on the hike is a wonderful idea. I have shared your post with my Camping Tips Pinterest board.
Thanks so much!
We are planning on going fossil hunting on the beach on holiday this year as it is a good spot for finding them and my kids are obsessed with dinos! Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
Sounds so fun!